By Okoodi Deo
www.mknewslink.com
In Mbarara—
Hearing of criminal cases where former Presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye together with Patrick Amuriat the FDC party President and other politicians are accused of assault, inciting violence, and malicious damage to property has started at Grade one magistrate court in Mbarara.
Other co-accused include; Ingrid Turinawe the Party Secretary for Mobilization, Kawempe North MP Mubarak Munyagwa.
The four politicians including one Fred Kato, Besigyess driver, allegedly committed the offences as they moved in a procession through Mbarara town on 14th November 2017 to hold a campaign rally for Patrick Amuriat Oboi at Kakyeka stadium.
Amuriat was then contesting for FDC party presidency where he defeated Mjr. Gen Mugisha Muntu.
During the hearing, state witness Collins Kaganzi the Field Force Unit (FFU) commander Mbarara faced hard time in court as defence lawyer Erias Lukwago cross examined him.
Lukwago expressed disappointment after prosecution failed to parade all the four state witnesses in court and requested that the case be closed because its inconveniencing them to keep commuting to Mbarara to come and listen to only one witness.
But the Mbarara Grade One Magistrate Sanyu Mukasa faulted defence lawyers and the accused persons for appearing in court late saying all the witnesses were present in court at 9.00am.
Sanyu added that she only reconvened court at 11.00am when they showed up and asked them to accept to have the case adjourned to 22 February 2019.
Lukwago later told journalists that there was no justification as to why witnesses were not brought in court saying this is the cause of delay of delivery and administration of justice and the backlog of cases within the judicial system.
Dr Kiiza Besigye said such delays will not deter them from pursuing their legitimate objective of regaining control of the country.